Customer & Medicare FAQs

Independent Medicare advisors compare all available plans in your area at no cost to you. The enrollment process involves reviewing your health needs, comparing carrier rates, and submitting applications electronically. Most approvals take 3-10 business days, and coverage can start as soon as the first of the following month.

You can begin shopping up to 6 months before your 65th birthday. This window is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, when you can enroll in any plan without health questions or underwriting. For Medicare Part B enrollment specifically, you should apply 3 months before your birthday month.

You'll need your date of birth, zip code, Medicare card number (or Social Security number), a current medications list with dosages, and details about your existing health insurance coverage. Having this ready allows your advisor to provide the most accurate rate comparisons.

United Medicare Advisors is a nationwide independent brokerage, not a captive insurance company. As one of the largest Medicare brokers in the U.S., UMA compares hundreds of plans across more than 30 A-rated carriers to find the most cost-effective coverage for each beneficiary's unique medical profile.

A nationwide brokerage provides broader market perspective and access to more carriers than most local agents. United Medicare Advisors can identify regional pricing differences across the country and uses advanced quoting technology for real-time plan comparisons and secure digital enrollment.

Advisors receive a flat commission from insurance carriers regardless of which plan you choose. This means they remain unbiased and recommend the plan that best fits your needs, not the one that pays them more. You pay the exact same premium whether you enroll through an advisor or directly with a carrier.

Brokers are compensated through standardized commissions paid by insurance carriers, which are already built into the product's administrative costs. You pay the exact same monthly premium whether you enroll through a broker or directly. United Medicare Advisors further ensures objectivity by paying agents a flat rate, decoupling recommendations from specific commission sizes.

Advisors use sophisticated quoting tools to compare standardized plans (such as Plan G and Plan N) based on your zip code, health status, and financial priorities. They prioritize carriers with high financial ratings — typically A+ or higher from A.M. Best — to ensure long-term solvency and claims-paying ability.

Your advisor will email all important documents including enrollment confirmations, Medicare checklists, plan comparisons, carrier contact information, and policy numbers. You'll have a written record of everything discussed during your consultation.

Every advisor provides their direct phone number with extension, email address, and the best times to reach them. If your advisor is unavailable, our team has access to your account information and can assist with urgent matters.

Yes. Advisors can email detailed plan comparisons showing premiums, benefits, coverage differences, and total costs side-by-side. This allows you to review options at your own pace and discuss questions in a follow-up call.

No, Medicare Supplement plans automatically renew each year. However, advisors typically conduct annual reviews to ensure you're still getting the best rate, as premiums can change and new competitive options may become available.

The relationship does not end at enrollment. United Medicare Advisors provides ongoing advocacy including annual plan reviews, assistance with claim denials, and help navigating rate increases. The dedicated customer care team can be reached at 855-538-2998 for portal issues, billing discrepancies, or three-way calls with carriers to resolve administrative errors.

Yes. Advisors regularly make three-way calls with carriers to resolve issues, check application status, verify coverage details, or address billing problems while you're on the line. This ensures you get accurate information and real-time problem resolution.

Yes. We can help you understand why a claim was denied, contact the carrier on your behalf to clarify billing codes or coverage questions, and advise you on the appeals process. We'll also help ensure your provider has submitted claims to the correct insurance.

Contact your advisor anytime you receive correspondence you don't understand. We can interpret denial letters, explain rate increase notices, clarify coverage changes, and advise you on what action (if any) you need to take.

While we can't provide legal or medical advice, advisors can help you understand what Medicare should have paid, what your supplement should cover, and whether you're being billed correctly. We can guide you on who to contact to resolve billing discrepancies.

Yes. During the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7), your advisor will proactively reach out to review your current plan, compare it against new options for the following year, and help you make changes if better plans are available.

Email is an important way we communicate about your policies, Medicare news, and other helpful information. First, please add our email address to your contact book so future messages arrive in your inbox. Then call our Customer Success team at (844) 539-0968 — they will verify your email address and resend any information you may have missed.

No, we never charge you — no matter how many times you need us. United Medicare Advisors offers free resources to anyone looking for Medicare plans. If you would like to reshop your policy at any time, we will help you find the best plan for your needs and budget at no cost.

Yes, most plans offer a 30-day free look period after enrollment. You can cancel within this timeframe for a full refund. After that, you can cancel anytime, though you may need to answer health questions to enroll in a new plan.

We provide specific instructions for canceling your previous coverage, including phone numbers and what to say. For supplement plans, we'll confirm when your new coverage is active before you cancel the old plan. We can also verify if you're owed any refunds for overpayment.

Advisors can explain which changes are allowed mid-year (limited to Special Enrollment Periods) versus what must wait until the Annual Enrollment Period. If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to moving or losing coverage, we'll help you make the change.

Yes. Contact your advisor immediately if you move. We'll help determine if your current plans are available in your new location, find comparable coverage in your new state, and ensure there are no gaps in coverage during the transition.

Your advisor can review your options based on your new health needs. While you may need to go through underwriting to change supplement plans outside open enrollment, we'll explore all available options including guaranteed issue rights you may qualify for.

Standard applications typically process within 3-10 business days. Applications requiring medical underwriting may take 7-14 days. You'll receive confirmation once approved, and your insurance card arrives within 5-10 business days of approval.

If denied due to health reasons, your advisor will contact the carrier's underwriting department to understand the specific reason, advise you on documentation needed (such as a letter from your doctor), and help submit an appeal. You can also apply with a different carrier that may have different underwriting guidelines, or use guaranteed issue rights if you qualify.

Yes. With your permission, advisors can look up your information in the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) system to verify your Part A and Part B effective dates, confirm your enrollment status, and check if Medicare has processed your application.

Contact your advisor immediately. We can help you gather documentation proving you had creditable coverage (employer letter, previous insurance cards) and contact Medicare or the carrier to have incorrect penalties removed from your account.

If personal information such as your name or address was entered incorrectly, call our Customer Success team at (844) 539-0968 and they will ensure it gets corrected. In some instances, certain sections that ask health questions may appear blank on your application — this is normal. Your agent could not have submitted an application that was missing necessary information.

United Medicare Advisors has a customer portal where you can log in to view the status of your application and policies. Shortly after your application was submitted, you should have received an email with your unique username and instructions to set up your account. If you haven't received it, check your "spam" or "junk" folder, and add our email address to your contact book so future messages arrive in your inbox.

Yes. Advisors can guide you through payment options including automatic bank draft, Social Security deduction, or quarterly billing. We'll explain each option and help you choose the method that works best for your situation.

Yes. We can contact the carrier to check on card delivery status, request expedited shipping if needed, or obtain your policy number so you can use your coverage even before the physical card arrives.

Yes. If you have multiple coverages (like Medicare, a supplement, and employer retiree coverage), we can help you understand coordination of benefits, ensure claims are submitted to the right carrier first, and resolve conflicts between insurers.

Yes. Our advisors can guide you through the entire Medicare Part B application process. We'll send you direct links to the SSA.gov enrollment page, walk you through each step over the phone, and help you obtain the required employment verification forms if you're enrolling after age 65.

For Medicare Supplement plans, any doctor who accepts Medicare will accept your supplement — there are no network restrictions. For Part D plans, we can check if your preferred pharmacy is in the preferred network before enrollment.

Yes. Our Part D specialists input all your medications with dosages into the Medicare plan finder tool, compare total annual costs across all available plans, and identify which plan offers the lowest out-of-pocket expenses for your specific medications.

Yes. Advisors can quote standalone dental and vision plans that work alongside your Medicare coverage. We'll explain benefit levels, coverage percentages, waiting periods, and help you enroll in plans that fit your needs and budget.

Yes. Advisors can determine if you might qualify for the Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) program based on income guidelines, explain how it works, and direct you to Social Security or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to apply.

Absolutely. Advisors routinely help couples enroll together, identify household discounts (5-12% savings when both spouses enroll with the same carrier), and ensure both applications are processed simultaneously for coverage coordination.

Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice care — it's free if you've worked 40 quarters (10 years). Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient services, medical equipment, and preventive care, with a monthly premium (currently $202.90 in 2026) that adjusts based on income.

Yes. If you're receiving Social Security benefits before age 65, you'll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You should receive your Medicare card 2-3 months before your 65th birthday. If you don't want Part B, you must actively decline it.

You can request a replacement card by visiting the Medicare Replacement Card section of Social Security's website at SSA.gov, or by calling the Social Security hotline at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users: 1-800-325-0778). While you wait for your replacement, you can get a paper verification letter online at mymedicare.gov or by visiting your local Social Security office.

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window that starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. Enrolling before your birthday month ensures coverage starts on the first of that month. Missing this window can result in a permanent 10% penalty on Part B premiums for every 12-month period you were eligible but not enrolled.

If you have creditable employer coverage from a company with 20 or more employees, you can typically delay Part B without penalty. For companies with fewer than 20 employees, Medicare generally becomes the primary payer at 65, making enrollment necessary. You should enroll within 8 months of leaving your job or losing employer coverage. Note that COBRA and retiree benefits do not count as current employment coverage.

If you don't sign up for Part B when first eligible and don't have creditable employer coverage, you'll pay a 10% penalty for each 12-month period you were eligible but not enrolled. This penalty is permanent and lasts for as long as you have Part B.

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, you can change Medicare Advantage plans, switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or add, drop, or change Part D prescription drug coverage. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.

There are several windows to enroll in a Part D plan. Your Initial Enrollment Period starts when you first become eligible for Medicare. The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, during which you can add, drop, or switch Part D plans. Depending on your situation, you may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period — contact us to find out your next opportunity to enroll.

For the 2026 calendar year, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B is $202.90. The annual Part B deductible — the amount you must pay before Medicare begins covering most outpatient services — is $283. Higher-income beneficiaries pay more through Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA).

The Inflation Reduction Act established an annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D prescription drug costs. Once you pay $2,100 in deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for covered drugs, you have no further cost-sharing for the remainder of the calendar year. This does not include monthly premiums or costs for drugs not covered by your specific plan.

Original Medicare (Parts A & B): If you receive a Social Security check, your Part B premium is automatically withheld. If you don't receive Social Security, you pay your premium separately — quarterly or through monthly options listed in the Medicare Easy Pay section at medicare.gov.

Medicare Supplement: Private carriers require a monthly premium in addition to your Original Medicare premium. Most carriers accept payment by check, credit card, or automatic bank withdrawal.

Medicare Part D: Part D also requires a separate premium. You may have the option to have your Part D premium deducted from your monthly Social Security benefit, though this can be slow to update when switching plans year to year.

Yes, but how they coordinate depends on employer size. With large employers (20+ employees), employer insurance typically pays first and Medicare pays second. With small employers (under 20), Medicare pays first. You must have both Part A and Part B for your supplemental coverage to work properly.

IRS rules prohibit HSA contributions once you are enrolled in any part of Medicare. Because Part A coverage can be retroactive for up to six months, it is standard practice to stop all HSA contributions at least six months before applying for Social Security or Medicare benefits to avoid tax penalties.

You can apply online at SSA.gov, by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. Apply 3 months before your 65th birthday for coverage to start on the first of your birthday month. If you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you are typically enrolled automatically.

You must submit two forms during your 8-month Special Enrollment Period: the CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Part B) and the CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information), which must be completed by your employer to verify creditable group coverage. These forms prevent late enrollment penalties from being applied to your account.

Yes. Medigap plans are federally standardized, meaning every carrier offering Plan G (for example) must provide the exact same set of benefits — such as 100% coverage for the Part A deductible and Part B coinsurance. The only differences between carriers are the monthly premium, historical rate increase patterns, and customer service quality.

Premium variations are driven by a carrier's overhead, marketing costs, and the health profile of their "risk pool." Some brand-name carriers charge higher premiums due to national recognition, while others use different pricing models — Attained-Age, Issue-Age, or Community-Rated — which affect how costs change as you get older.

Since benefits are identical across carriers, focus on comparing monthly premiums, rate increase history, financial stability ratings (A.M. Best), customer service reviews, and whether they offer household discounts. Independent advisors can show you all carrier options side-by-side.

You can apply to switch carriers at any time. However, outside your initial 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you must typically pass medical underwriting, where a carrier can deny coverage or charge more based on health history. Some states like California and Oregon have "birthday rules" that allow switching without health questions during a specific window each year.

You are protected by Guaranteed Issue rights. If a carrier stops offering Medigap plans or becomes insolvent, you have a 63-day window to enroll in a new Supplement plan with a different carrier without answering any medical underwriting questions.

Medical underwriting is the process where insurance carriers review your health history to determine eligibility and pricing. During your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period (first 6 months on Part B at age 65+), you're guaranteed acceptance without health questions. Outside that window, carriers can evaluate your medical history.

Underwriting typically takes 3-10 business days, though complex medical histories may require up to 14 days. Carriers review prescription history, medical records, and may request additional information from your doctor before issuing a decision.

If denied, you can request the specific reason from the carrier, provide clarifying medical documentation from your physician, apply with a different carrier that may have different underwriting guidelines, or explore guaranteed issue options if you qualify due to a qualifying life event.

No. Medicare Supplement plans have no networks whatsoever. You can see any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare. Your supplement automatically pays the remaining costs after Medicare pays its portion.

Yes. Because Original Medicare is the primary payer, any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare must accept your Medigap coverage. The private carrier is legally obligated to pay its portion as long as Medicare approves the service, regardless of the company's size or name recognition.

Most carriers adjust rates once per year. Increases are typically triggered by your birthday (in attained-age plans) or "rate actions" approved by state insurance departments due to medical inflation and the carrier's claims experience. Rate increase history varies by carrier, which is why annual reviews with an advisor help ensure you're getting competitive pricing.

Many carriers offer household discounts — typically 5-12% savings — when two people living in the same home both enroll in plans with that carrier. This can result in significant annual savings for married couples or domestic partners.

Yes. Medicare Supplement plans and Part D prescription drug plans are completely separate products. You should choose each independently based on which carrier offers the best value — they don't need to be from the same company.

Preferred pharmacies have contracts with Part D plans to offer lower copays than non-preferred pharmacies. Common preferred pharmacies include CVS, Walgreens, and mail-order services. Using non-preferred pharmacies typically results in higher out-of-pocket costs for the same medications.

Most Medicare Part D plans have an annual deductible (up to $615 in 2026) that typically applies only to higher-tier medications (tiers 3-5). Generic medications on tiers 1 and 2 are usually exempt from the deductible and have low or $0 copays.

The traditional coverage gap ("donut hole") has been effectively eliminated for most beneficiaries. There is now a $2,100 maximum out-of-pocket limit annually, after which Medicare Part D plans cover 100% of prescription drug costs for the rest of the calendar year.

Yes. Even with Medicare Supplement Insurance, prescription drug costs are not covered. Medicare Supplement plans only cover the gaps in Parts A and B — they do not include drug benefits. If you have not already done so, we recommend adding a standalone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan to round out your benefits. Our advisors can help you compare Part D plans based on your specific medications.